Sandra Bland’s Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit for $1.9 Million

The Daily Beast reports that the family of Sandra Bland, the woman who was arrested in July 2015 during a routine traffic stop, and later found dead in a Texas jail cell, has settled a wrongful death suit for $1.9 million.

The lawsuit was against the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Waller County Jail, where Bland was found dead days after she was arrested following being pulled over for failing to use her turn signal. Her death sparked outrage across the country, leading to protests and further propelling the Black Lives Matter movement, as she became another face of injustice alongside Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice.

According to ABC13, Cannon Lambert, attorney for Bland's family, confirmed the news of the settlement. Specifically, the Texas Department of Public Safety will pay $100,000, as they were capped by state statutes, while the Waller County jail will pay the bulk at $1.8 million.

Additionally, structural and operational changes will be made within Waller Counter Jail. ABC13 reports that as a condition of the settlement, Bland's mother, Geneva Reed-Veal, says the Waller County jail "must provide emergency nurses for all shifts; use automated electronic sensors to ensure accurate and timely cell checks; and activity seek the passage of additional state funds for for jail intaking, inmate screening, training and additional jail support."

Also, any legislation passed which benefits Waller County must be named in Sandra Bland's honor.